PERRY, Fla. (WTXL) — The Madison County Cowboys are the three-time defending State Champs, straight down US-221 is rival Thomas County.
The Cowboys are at Taylor County for our Friday Night Overtime Game of the Week.
Week eight of the high school football season is just pouring on the rivalry games and that's what we'll get to see Friday Night in Perry as Taylor County hosts Madison County.
What makes this year's matchup so special is that both of these teams could very well play each other again in just a few weeks when the playoffs roll around.
We've reached what many teams would consider the must-win part of the season.
"Getting prepared, going against them because it's a big rivalry game," said Ke'Shaun Mitchell, a Madison County linebacker.
It feels like forever since the last time we got to see the Cowboys square off against the Bulldogs, but lost time has certainly not diminished the intensity surrounding this matchup.
"We're amped up about playing at home, playing against Madison, they're just right across the border over there to the other county," said Jordan Tyler, a Taylor County linebacker. We expect to be packed on both sides."
"During the offseason, we played seven on sevens against them, they came down here and played a little ball," said Kevis Thomas, a Taylor County quarterback. "I mean, I'm looking forward to them, we've been talking about this all year long."
Friday night's contest will also serve as the first time Eddie Metcalf will go head to head with Mike Coe as the Bulldog's head coach.
He knows the tough challenge that lies ahead for his team. And on the other sideline, the Cowboys are prepared to see a much more disciplined Taylor County squad.
"Two things that really pops off the film is defensively they're a lot better than they have been," said Mike Coe, the head football coach at Madison County. "Just lining up correctly and how hard then play. And then the quarterback, he's a special athlete."
"Well, coach Coe has something pretty special going on over there," said Eddie Metcalf, the head football coach at Taylor County. "He's the measuring stick for everyone in North Florida. He's got the kids bought in, they believe. They play hard for him and he's just a machine, he just reloads every year and that's what we're trying to get here."
That game in Perry has a 7:30 p.m. kick-off.
